Little things #16 A collection of scattered stories
#68. Sometimes, I don't need to be a winner. But I want to achieve my goal, as always.
Can you differentiate between a winner and a goal achiever?
#69. The pork slice
While cooking noodles, I noticed a slice of pork in my refrigerator. I didn't plan to cook it, but somehow, it brought back memories of my time in Korea.
Back then, I used to work nearly ten-hour shifts, from 8:30 AM to 7 PM, doing manual labor with only a humble lunch --- kimchi and a few side dishes during a short break. I even made a YouTube video about that experience Where is the limit of human being??
On days when we had fish or pork, it felt more special. After standing for four and a half hours and feeling really hungry, I would go eat lunch with my coworkers at 1 PM. The company provided our meals, a part of its culture, so we didn't have to bring our own.
I remember appreciating the pork slice and eating happily. But after I almost finished it, my coworker said the pork was cheap and not fresh. That slowed down my enjoyment. Anyway, I had to eat well to to fuel the rest of the work.
Now, I cook the leftover pork in my refrigerator with true gratitude.
#70. The improv showcase
I attended an improv showcase at a friend's invitation. The performers were incredibly talented, confident and flexible --- it was so much fun to watch!
Does being good at improv mean good at making a lot of facial expressions?
#71. The internet didn't support me.
I was watching something on YouTube. The internet didn't support me. It was really slow. Ah, I would read a book instead :D
Sometimes, the beginning of reading a book may not seem as engaging or motivating as expected. But in return, if I were already in the flow of reading, I could pick up a book effortlessly, full of joy --- right after waking up or coming home from work.
#72. It is just a little bit different.
When I first returned from Korea, I found myself with more free time, even while working a full-time job on weekdays. At first, It felt like procrastination, like I wasn't putting in enough effort, as if I should be working as hard as I once did.
But this feeling actually came from the transition itself --- from working hard in Korea, constantly pushing myself, working intensely in the lab, fully immersed in my research --- to a life with less pressure here where I take care of other aspects of life, felt unfamiliar. This shift made me question whether I was doing enough.
But in reality, this is the life I wanted to create for myself --- a chance to pause, to reset, to create a balance that I never had before. Now, I see it was never a problem. I choose to embrace this time, find ways to enjoy it differently, and make it both meaningful and valuable. More than that, I am building it as a foundation --- an intentional period of balance that will help me navigate future pressures with greater stability than before. A future where I can pursue my career, embrace motherhood, and still feel fulfilled by my passions.
#73. Korean fried chicken
I actually went out for Korean fried chicken with my friend. The crispy version is always my favorite, followed by sweet sausage with tteokbokki.
Eating Korean fried chicken in Korea is the best for sure!
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